Sailor's Father Criticizes Trump's Iran War as 'Forever War'

Jefferson Kelly, father of a 20-year-old sailor aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, has criticized President Donald Trump's war with Iran as a forever war.

Kelly offered to take his son's place as the aircraft carrier's deployment extends beyond 265 days. His son joined the Navy hoping to become an engineer, but Kelly feared a forever war upon Trump's return to the White House. The USS Abraham Lincoln, which left San Diego on November 21, 2025, was redirected to the Middle East in January to support U.S. attacks against Iran launched on February 28.

The carrier supported Operation Epic Fury and the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports. Reports indicate growing scrutiny of conditions aboard the Lincoln, with some families sending care packages due to concerns about low supplies and deteriorating food. Ashley Rogers, wife of a higher-ranking officer, stated care packages took 2.5 months to arrive and that her husband sounded defeated.

Trump, when asked about family concerns, stated "No, they're not" worried and that the deployment was not nearly long enough. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called reports of poor conditions completely misrepresented. The USS George Washington is en route to replace the Lincoln. The deployment has been described by some as a floating metal prison.